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Updated: Mar 25, 2026
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3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
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Headache of neurally mediated syncope
Ramesh K Khurana1, Sara Van Meerbeke2
1Department of Medicine, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA lyn.camire@medstar.net.
Cephalalgia : an International Journal of Headache
|February 13, 2016
Summary
Syncope did not trigger migraine headaches in patients. Headaches during or after syncope events may be linked to changes in blood flow to the brain, not migraine.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Neuronscience
Background:
- Neurally mediated syncope and migraine share a complex, poorly understood relationship.
- Investigating the potential link between syncope and migraine precipitation is crucial for understanding autonomic dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if syncope induced in a laboratory setting precipitates migraine headaches.
- To explore the characteristics of headache experienced by patients during syncope.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-one patients underwent head-up tilt (HUT) testing to induce syncope, defined by a >20 mmHg systolic blood pressure drop and prodromal symptoms.
- Autonomic function was assessed using heart rate response to deep breathing (HRDB), Valsalva maneuver, and HUT.
- Continuous monitoring of blood pressure and heart rate, with headache diagnosis based on International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD-3) criteria.
Main Results:
- Syncope occurred in all 31 patients; 18 (58%) had no headache, while 13 (42%) experienced syncope with headache (SH).
- No significant differences were found in syncope onset, blood pressure reduction, Valsalva ratio, HRDB, or HUT-induced tachycardia between groups.
- Of the 13 SH patients, 11 had a prior migraine history, and headaches resolved quickly in most cases; however, no patient met criteria for migraine.
Conclusions:
- Syncope does not precipitate migraine headaches.
- Headache associated with syncope may result from cerebral hypoperfusion (during syncope) or cerebral hyperperfusion (post-syncope).
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